As the seasons change, so do our beauty habits. And when it comes to nail art, fall is a time of cozy, autumnal twists on the year’s biggest trends. From mixed metals to understated elegance, we’re breaking down the top trends to try this season.
Mixed Metals
Nail artists are tossing out the old-school fashion rule that says you shouldn’t wear silver and gold at the same time. “Mixed-metal nail art has been my latest obsession,” says nail artist Hang Nguyen. “I used to think they’d clash, but turns out they look amazing together. I mean, why choose one when you can have both?”
Nguyen finishes her mixed-metal designs with a no-wipe topcoat, which eliminates the step of having to remove the sticky layer that’s typical with traditional gel finishes. This makes a no-wipe gel topcoat an ideal option when using builder gels and gems—both often used in mixed-metal designs—as it keeps you from disturbing those 3D elements underneath.
There’s no right or wrong way to try the mixed-metal trend. “You can keep it minimal or add more 3D designs for a more dramatic look,” says nail artist Bana Jarjour. Both Nguyen and Jarjour use builder gel and chrome powders to create unique and maximalist mixed-metal manicures.
Understated Elegance
For those who prefer a more subdued level of sparkle for fall, there’s plenty of inspiration coming from the red carpets, with dozens of celebrities opting for delicate crystals atop sheer, nude polish. Marc Jacobs experimented with the look for the Met Gala, as did Olympian Gabby Thomas (below). Sabrina Carpenter is also a fan.
“We always see the return of understated elegance during the fall,” says Jarjour, “so something simple like this is much more wearable for people who want to add a little pizzazz without going overboard.”
Cozy Aura
Aura nails are still a top request at salons around the country, and for fall, they’re getting a cozy, autumnal twist. “Everyone is always so blown away by the optical illusion it creates,” says nail artist Alora Reyes. “You can play with different color combinations to create soft and bold versions of this dreamy design.”
For fall, that might mean using mauve as a base color and mixing up a white or light pink polish into the airbrush machine to create a subtle aura effect, explains Reyes, who likes DND Diva Gel Polish in 179 Dusty Mauve Diva. For clients who want a bolder aura look, Reyes loves using Aprés Gel Couleurs in Never Bordeaux You as a base shade.
Animal Prints
Animal prints are still going strong, according to the manicurists and salon owners we spoke to, and show no sign of slowing down since we predicted this would be one of the year’s biggest trends. This fall’s take on the look, however, is scaling things back slightly, with animal prints limited to the tips and top half of nails.
Channeling her inner Fran Drescher in The Nanny, nail artist Miss Pop has been playing with cheetah-print tips (Salon Perfect makes a press-on version of the look if you want to try it at home). At the same time, Orton says, croc-print French manicures have been a popular design at Vanity Projects in New York and Miami.
Chunky Crystals
When it comes to sparkly nails this fall, the bling-ier the better, says Miss Pop. “When I first started my career, I wanted to prove that nail art wasn’t just a bunch of rhinestones,” she says. “And now, over a decade into my career, I can’t get enough of them. I especially love ones that are so big, they shoot rainbows.”
Miss Pop got to indulge her current rhinestone obsession backstage at Alice + Olivia’s fall 2025 show. “This past season was truly an over-the-top extravaganza, so I wanted to make sure the nails earned the extra in extravaganza,” she says of the designs she created.
Nude-on-Nude
This nail art trend is striking in its simplicity. On the runways and red carpets, we’re spotting a growing number of nail art designs done entirely in neutrals, and—like many of fall’s nail art trends—there are hundreds of ways to wear it.
At Christian Cowan’s fall 2025 show, nail artist Julie Kandalec created tonal polka dot designs using CND Shellac in Bouquet, Powder My Nose, Bare Chemise, Wrapped in Linen, Field Fox, and Willow Talk—all luxurious nudes. “We didn’t match the nude base exactly to the models’ skin tones because the point wasn’t to create a mannequin-hand effect but rather an elegant, tonal design,” explains Kandalec.
Meet the Experts
- Rita Pinto is the founder of Vanity Project nail art salons in New York City and Miami.
- Alora Reyes is a nail artist based in San Diego.
- Hang Nguyen is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
- Marnae Orton is a nail artist and educator at The Nailsaloon in Washington, DC.
- Bana Jarjour is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
- Miss Pop is a New York City-based nail artist.
| Expert | Location | Nail Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Rita Pinto | New York City and Miami | Mixed-metal nail art |
| Alora Reyes | San Diego | Magnetic polish |
| Hang Nguyen | Los Angeles | Mixed-metal nail art |
| Marnae Orton | Washington, DC | Velvet nails and abstract designs |
| Bana Jarjour | Los Angeles | Chunky crystals and mixed-metal nail art |
| Miss Pop | New York City | Animal prints and chunky crystals |
With these trends to try this fall, you can add some extra sparkle to your nail game. Whether you’re looking for something bold and eye-catching or understated and elegant, there’s something for everyone.
So go ahead, get creative, and show off your fall nail style.
news is a contributor at DiskManicure. We are committed to providing well-researched, accurate, and valuable content to our readers.
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